A new vertical type membrane oxygenator witht microporous film (Gelgard) was made at The Heart Institute of Japan, Tokyo, Japan. This microporous. membrane film made of non-wettable or wettablesubstances such as polypropylene is perforated with multiple small holes (mean size 0.1μ), which permits gas transfer very well.
Main ideas were thought out in manufacturing the new vertical type membrane oxygenator as follows;
1. simple design.
2. small priming volume.
3. low resistance pressure.
4. sufficient gas transfer.
The membrane oxygenator showed satisfactory results over these essential conditions.
